I saw this poem come through on Facebook today. This has
long been one of my favorites. Shel Silverstein is a children’s poet, yes, but
this is one of the few times that he shows who he really is. This is one of
many poems of his encouraging people to go for their dreams or to express
creativity, and I love every bit of it. Those poems of his are some of the
things that keep me going as a writer.

I think it can go for all creative types. And I have a
secret for you. Everyone is creative. It’s part of the human experience. You
can say you’re not, that you’re just humdrum. I don’t buy it. Everyone has some
kind of spark.

So I’m issuing everyone who sees this a challenge. Set aside
one day. Just one, single day. You can spare that from your busy schedule. Make
it on a weekend, if that’s what it takes. But find one day in your life and go
be creative. Go do it. Write. Draw. Paint. Dance. Fix the Confederate battle
strategy. Make up a new game to play with your kids. Make up a new game to play
with your grandma. Try a new recipe. Make a website from scratch. I don’t know
what tickles your personal creativity, but let it get tickled. Just once. You’ll
probably suck at it the first time, but who doesn’t? Even the creatives you
look up to the most sucked major balls at one point.

So go and be total shit at something. Or be great at
something. Just feed that creativity. Start with one day and see where that
takes you. Don’t do it for me, though. Do it because it’s something good. It’s
something great. It’s a little spark of magic you can hold in your hands. And
everyone could use a little more magic in this day and age, don’t you think?